South Korea's Lee urges authorities to step up support as heatwave kills 16
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for increased government support as a record-breaking heatwave has resulted in 16 deaths. Authorities are being urged to overhaul national crisis systems and monitor power infrastructure due to extreme weather.
Why it matters
The event highlights the growing impact of climate change on public safety and the increasing necessity for infrastructure resilience in urban environments.
Temperatures in Yangsan, a southeastern inland city, hit 42.5°C on Sunday, the highest in 122 years of weather observations.
Senior citizens wait in line for free meals along the wall of a park in Seoul, South Korea on Aug 3, 2026, as the country is gripped by a nationwide heat wave. (Photo: EPA/Yonhap South Korea)
SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities on Tuesday (Aug 4) to step up support for people affected by a record heatwave in the country , saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Lee called on officials to take necessary measures to protect the daily lives of people and inspect power systems as demand for air conditioning surges.
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